What is the prevalence of arthralgia during the menopause transition?

• A. Up to 50% during the menopause transition
• B. Less than 5%
• C. 25%
• D. 75%

Answer: (A)

Arthralgia is a common symptom during the menopause transition. Fluctuating estrogen levels can affect joints and surrounding tissues, leading to joint pain that many women experience as migratory and sometimes without swelling. Population data show that about half of women report arthralgia during the menopausal transition, so an estimate of “up to 50%” best captures this level of prevalence. This reflects real-world variability—some groups report slightly more or less, but the hallmark is that it is quite common rather than rare. The other options underestimate or overstate the typical prevalence and don’t fit the overall pattern seen in studies.